The Moorings offers one of the best locations in Naples; downtown Naples and the famous 5Th Avenue South are a five-minute drive or a leisurely bike ride away. In addition, there are shops and restaurants within walking distance, and Fort Myers Regional Airport is only a 30-minute drive. A walking or biking paradise, the Moorings is bordered by Park Shore on the north and Doctors Pass on the south.
In an excerpt from Naples Now magazine in April 1982, the author stated:
"The Moorings of Naples stands today as a monument to one man, Milton Link, who proved that developers can bring good taste, beauty, and grace to a community."
In the beginning, the Calusa Indians were the first inhabitants of the area we now call Naples, Florida. After 200 years of conflict between the Calusa and the Spanish, starting with Ponce de Leon, the Calusa moved south and east to escape the fighting.
In 1886, the former Confederate general and Kentucky US Senator John Stuart Williams founded the city of Naples with his partner Walter N. Haldeman. The origin of the name Naples is an interesting fact; in the 1870s and 1880s, promoters described the bay as" surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy," and coined the name, Naples.
The population of Naples had grown to 80 people by the summer of 1888, and developers considered that to be a sufficient number of people to open the first hotel. Almost one hundred years later, in 1957, Milton Link showed up in this city by the Gulf to purchase land for Cuban Entrepreneur Julio Lobo, known as the Sugar King. Julio Lobo had learned that the 1300-acre Crayton tract was for sale and wanted as much of the land as he could get. So in September 1957, Milton Link bought 300 acres for $1.5 million and, over the next three years, purchased an additional 650 acres for the Sugar King.
As a landscape architect, Milton Link was determined to beautify the Moorings. He lived in the community and treated the whole community as his backyard, ensuring trees and tropical landscaping lined every curving street. He also planned large homesites with deep canals that would allow direct gulf access from some of the homes.
Selling beachfront lots for $9,500 and interior sites for $4,500, Link quickly developed most of the land he purchased. I wonder what Milton would think today, as interior homesites with teardown homes can sell for more than $2 million! The Moorings now comprises over 4,000 homes and 1,300 acres.
Lifestyle in the Moorings
Whether you choose high-rise beachfront living, single-family home on a large homesite, or a small condo with boat docks and direct Gulf access, there is a home to please everyone's taste in the Moorings.
There are so many benefits to living in the Moorings, but one of the best benefits is access to the Moorings' private beach park. The park is open from 10 am to sunset daily, and you must have a Property Owners Association pass to gain access. There are picnic tables, Tiki huts, and barbecues for your use, so pack up the family and spend the day. The best perk of all? Lots of shaded parking makes your day much more enjoyable; no more fighting for one of the few parking spots available close to the beach with the rest of Naples residents during the season!
If your home is close to Gulf Shore Boulevard North, you don't have to drive to Moorings Beach park; you can access the beach on foot at one of the three public parking areas. All Naples residents can park for free at these public accesses, but parking spaces are limited, and how much easier is it to walk from your home?
Yet another benefit? The Moorings Golf and Country Club. Although all residents of Naples can join the prestigious club, it is wonderful to have this club available to you within walking distance of your home. The club is private and member-owned, with excellent restaurants, social activities, and a golf course; it is renowned for the friendliness of its members.
A testimonial on the Moorings Country Club website states:
"Social membership gives a family a great way to experience many of the benefits of membership. Dining, special events, and an array of activities along with an amazing staff create an ambiance of camaraderie because members care."
- Lisa Forina
Social activities include live entertainment, book clubs, Bridge, Mah Jongg, and Poker. If you purchase the golf membership, there are also men's and ladies' leagues to enjoy.
There is nothing more memorable than attending one of the outstanding social events at the club, then strolling home under the Naples night sky to your magnificent Moorings home.
Naples Attractions Close to the Moorings
With so many exciting activities within the Moorings community, you may not want to venture far from home; however, there are many Naples attractions to visit. Here are only two of the many recommendations.
Naples Botanical Gardens is a 170-acre world-class garden paradise. Plants and flowers from latitude 26 degrees North to 26 degrees south, including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Florida, have been curated for this beautiful garden. The garden has over 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitats and walking trails. A charming children's area includes a brightly painted cottage, chalk for sidewalk painting, and a splash play area. These gardens are the perfect place to bring the grandchildren for an afternoon of play and learning.
Daily tours and special events focus on different areas of the gardens, and, on Wednesdays, the park stays open late for sunset among the blooms.
Another grandchild-centric experience, but also fun for adults, is the Naples Zoo. The Zoo is very close to the Moorings behind Coastland Center on Goodlette-Frank Road. There is a one-mile paved trail meandering through the animal habitats, which are surrounded by glass or fences, so you can get up close and personal with most of the animals. On the first Saturday of every month, admission is free for Collier County residents.
Shopping and Restaurants Close to the Moorings
The Village Shops at Venetian Bay is a destination worth a visit for browsing through the 45 eclectic boutiques or partaking in a meal at one of the fine restaurants. This beautiful waterfront outdoor shopping experience is within walking distance of most Moorings homes.
In 1988, Raymond Lutgert, the developer of Park Shore, began construction on the Village Shops at Venetian Bay. His idea to form a bay separating the mainland portion of Park Shore from the Gulf-front community created Venetian Bay. What better place to establish a shopping and dining experience with magnificent views? Developed in the classic Venetian style with terra-cotta walkways, relaxing courtyards, Mediterranean-style architecture, and Italian ambiance, Venetian Village more than lives up to its namesake. The first phase proved so successful that a second phase began construction in 1990.
There are six restaurants overlooking Venetian Bay, with stunning views of dolphins and boats all day, but the view at sunset is breathtaking. Most of the restaurants sit on Venetian Bay, so you can relax and enjoy the food of your choice with an incredible view.
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A short distance away from the Italian-influenced Village Shops at Venetian Bay is another outstanding shopping experience. Waterside Shops is synonymous with high-end shopping and retail therapy and gets its name from the numerous water features, fountains, and canals meandering through the outdoor mall. Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, over 60 stores are waiting to greet you with amazing merchandise. The lush landscaping and tropical trees invite you to sit awhile in the center courtyard. Enjoy live entertainment and mimosas on Sunday during the season before beginning your stroll through the luxury boutiques.
What Does YOUR Moorings Lifestyle Look Like?
There are high-rise condominium buildings directly on the beach with magnificent views of the Gulf of Mexico or Moorings Bay. These buildings on Gulf Shore Boulevard North offer traditional condominium living with the extras of the beach. So leave your condo, close the door, walk to the community pool and sundeck overlooking the beach, or walk a bit further and relax directly on the white sand. Most buildings have magnificent entrance lobbies with full-time staff to help with questions or concerns.
On the east side of Gulf Shore Boulevard North are the low-rise condominium buildings with access to Moorings Bay. These buildings offer direct Gulf access with no bridges and boat docks for purchase or lease. There are full marina facilities north of the Village Shops at Venetian Bay, where you can rent a boat or kayak or purchase the supplies you need for your vessel.
We can thank Milton Link for the size of the homesites in the Moorings. You can purchase a lot, tear down the house and build the house of your dreams, or purchase a renovated and updated home. Perhaps you would enjoy an older home that you can renovate to your taste—not looking for the headaches and work of building or renovation? Developers have built magnificent spec homes that are move-in ready with all the designer finishes.
There is a home in the Moorings for everyone, regardless of your budget. Closer to US 41 and further from the beach are low-rise buildings with community pools that allow you all the benefits of the Moorings lifestyle for under $500,000.
How Can You Enjoy the Moorings Lifestyle?
With so many choices to make in the type of home, location, and amenities, you need a well-experienced and knowledgeable Realtor to help you navigate the steps of your Moorings home purchase. Scott Hansen and his amazing team will help you narrow your choices and decide which community and home style is the best option for you and your family. Then, when you have selected the best home for you, there will be options to visit as there are always a variety of homes for sale in the Moorings.
Scott Hansen, his team of experienced Realtors, and his Director of Customer Experience will make your home buying adventure as smooth and simple as possible. Their knowledge of the Naples real estate market and the Moorings community is unsurpassed in the Naples area. So make the call today, and you will soon be living in your new home in the Moorings.
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned buyer, The Scott Hansen Real Estate Group handles every transaction with a high level of understanding, skill and care. The Scott Hansen Group makes the process of selling or buying a home a smooth and satisfying experience.
